Film lovers and stargazers flock to Sundance

Ever bumped into someone on a street and think, "Hey, he looks a lot like Kevin Spacey" -- and then realize that he is in fact the Oscar-winner? Or been sitting in a sandwich shop and spot "Sex and the City" star Sara Jessica Parker strolling by the window?

Star sightings like these are routine in Park City, Utah, during the annual 10-day Sundance Film Festival, which is coming up Jan. 15-25.

If you thought the resort town was just for skiing and the films were just for Hollywood insiders, think again. Tickets to screenings are available for $15 a pop to the general public.

And while lodging and food are usually pricey, it can be worth it to combine all the amenities of a ski town with a unique cinematic experience -- a chance to maybe rub elbows with your favorite star, or get in on the excitement of discovering the next Kevin Smith or Steven Soderbergh (directors of Sundance winners who have gone on to mainstream Hollywood acclaim).

Sundance is the most significant American festival for launching obscure independent films into the mainstream, and each year it seems to attract a more star-studded roster of attendees. After eight years of attending the festival, I've picked up a few tips for getting the most out of the experience.

Ticket tricks

Go to www.sundance.org/festival and check out your ticket-buying options for the films. As of this writing, there were still some packages available that give you access to all screenings on specified dates, plus some of the parties where you might meet celebs. But at $2,500 or $3,000 a pop, you might be better off waiting for individual ticket sales.

Even if you don't buy tickets in advance, you can check at the festival's on-site box office for day-of-show tickets. Or, you can plan to wait in line at the venues for wait-list tickets; those with high tolerance for low temperatures who are willing to get in line early stand a good chance of getting in.

At the Sundance website, click on "festival info" to start your search for lodging. Whether you go with one of the festival-recommended facilities or strike out on your own, the most important amenity to ask about is the proximity to the festival's shuttle-bus route. The film venues in Park City are spread out, with limited parking, and riding the shuttle bus is a must. The closer you are to its route, the fewer steps you'll have to walk on cold, slushy sidewalks.

To get to Park City, fly into Salt Lake City and take a shuttle there. The Park City shuttles take less than an hour, drop you off at the front door of wherever you're staying, and run extended hours during the festival (links to shuttle services are available at the festival website). You can also rent a car, but once you park it you probably won't need it again until it's time to go back to the airport, unless you're planning to strike out beyond the town for sightseeing or skiing.

Dress down. Just because you're going to be around celebs, you don't need to invest in a glamorous wardrobe. Everyone stays bundled up, looking ready to ski or as though they've just finished a run. You stand your biggest chance of making a fashion statement with a new coat or some sturdy snow-resistant boots.

When to go?

Watch for freebies. Plan to walk up and down Park City's Main Street and duck into the venues that are open to the public. Many offer free drinks, munchies, Internet access or product samples.

Make restaurant reservations early. If you hope to eat anywhere besides snack bars or sandwich shops, call right away for a reservation. One must-see is Zoom, owned by Robert Redford, the film festival's founder (1-435-649-9108; www.sundanceresort.com/zoom.htm).

Last but not least: Don't forget to ski. Plan to build in at least one day for skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing. Because the movies are the primary attraction during Sundance, the Park City slopes are less crowded than usual and are even more ideal during the less-crowded latter half of the festival.